Signatories at The Olympia Dublin

October 4th – 8th 2016

Brought to you by Verdant Productions in association with University College Dublin and MCD, SIGNATORIES is a new work from eight world-class writers who all hale from UCD.

Emma Donoghue, Thomas Kilroy, Hugo Hamilton, Frank McGuinness, Rachel Fehily, Eilis Ni Dhuibhne, Marina Carr and Joseph O’Connor present to you the seven signatories of the Irish Proclamation, along with the perspective of Elizabeth O’Farrell who delivered the surrender in the Easter Rising of 1916.

With massively impressive resume’s, here’s a brief synopsis of the Signatories writers:

Elizabeth O’Farrell by Emma Donoghue – nominated for an Oscar for her screenplay of her novel Room.

Padraig Pearse by Thomas Kilroy –awards include the Guardian Fiction Prize, the Heinemann Award for Literature, the AIG Literary Prize and the Irish PEN award.

James Connolly by Hugo Hamilton – winner of the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature, the Priz Femina Etranger, and the Premio Giuseppe Berto for French and Italian translations of his work.

“This is an ambitious and significant project…. melded into a theatrical whole, confidently and movingly.“The Irish Times *****

“this production is a perfection and a privilege: theatre, not history, but as thought-provoking as was the intent.” Sunday Independent

“ ‘Signatories’ is an unforgettable experience and a towering piece of theatre.” Irish Examiner *****

“If you love Ireland – or just great theatre – do NOT miss Signatories‘Signatories’ is a powerful production….does not disappoint.” Irish Mirror

“a memorable and unique theatrical experience” No More Workhorse

“magical…….” Irish Independent

… there is quite a chance that tickets to Signatories are going to be like gold dust!

Here’s the PRESS RELEASE I received, it’s worded perfectly so I decided there was absolutely no reason to reiterate it all …

Breaking boundaries in theatre, literature and performance, Verdant Productions in association with UCD are delighted to announce that Signatories, a major theatrical interpretation to mark the centenary of the Easter Rising, will be revived at the Olympia Theatre this October following sold out shows at Kilmainham Gaol. Created by eight of Ireland’s most acclaimed writers; Emma O’Donoghue, Thomas Kilroy, Hugo Hamilton, Frank McGuinness, Rachel Fehily, Éilís Ní Dhuibne, Marina Carr and Joseph O’Connor a theatrical interpretation to mark the centenary of the Easter Rising.

Signatories opens at the Olympia Theatre on Wednesday 5 October (preview Tuesday 4 October) and runs until Saturday 8 October 2016.

Tickets are available now from Ticketmaster outlets nationwide and online at www.ticketmaster.ie priced €38.50/€33 including fee.

Having received its world premiere at Kilmainham Gaol for the anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising, (commissioned by UCD), these eight world-class Irish writers present the seven signatories of the Irish Proclamation, along with the interesting perspective of Nurse Elizabeth O’Farrell who delivered the surrender in the Easter Rising of 1916.

Performed in a series of monologues, this production brings the audience into their innermost thoughts and encapsulates the emotional turmoil caused by their self-sacrifice, as each writer presents an artistic response to the eight characters – sending out commands, lying in Kilmainham Gaol, facing the firing squad, ultimately being airbrushed out of public view and leaving a legacy to haunt future generations.

The signatories of the Irish Republic must have known that the Rising would be crushed militarily, would end in carnage and death and that if caught alive, they would themselves be executed. This exciting production, noted for its magnificent writing, will be directed by TONY Award-winning director, Patrick Mason,and will be delivered by some of the country’s most outstanding actors; Barbara Brennan who plays Nurse Elizabeth O’Farrell by Emma Donoghue; Roseanna Purcell who reads the piece of Sean McDermott written by Éilís Ní Dhuibne; Stephen Jones plays Thomas McDonagh by Marina Carr; Shane O’Reilly plays Joseph Mary Plunket by Joseph O’Connor; Joe Taylor plays Thomas Clarke written by Rachel Fehily; Ronan Leahy plays Éamonn Ceannt by Frank McGuinness; Frank McCuskerplays Padraig Pearse by Thomas Kilroy & Karen McCartney reads James Connolly written by Hugo Hamilton

– all relay the voices that thread across deeply personal emotions from each historical Irish character.

UCD played a central role in the emergence of the Irish State – from the culturally-driven Gaelic Revival movement to the formation of the Irish Volunteers and Cumann na mBan; from the actual planning of the Easter Rising to the formation of the first Government; UCD lecturers, graduates and even students were all part of the story of Irish independence.

A seminal moment in the foundation of the Irish State and often referred to as “the poets’ rebellion”, among its leaders were UCD scholars of English literature, history and Irish. Even though its effects were deep and lasting, the revolt itself was ill-fated; and ended ignominiously after just six days with the rebels rounded up and their leaders sentenced to death.

The unique artistic composition of Signatories was a theatrical centrepiece of the 2016 commemorations, drawing great public interest, it presented an opportunity for intellectual discourse around the signatories of the proclamation that goes well beyond the circumstances of the Rising and places them in the wider cultural context.

Combining the skills of the best writers with this stellar cast – expect an extraordinary production and a special piece of theatre magic for 2016.

*Signatories is also available in a new book published by UCD to coincide with the production.“

Win Two Tickets to Signatories at The Olympia Dublin this October 2016!!!

Here’s how to enter …

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